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Virgin Blue Gets Serious About Business Travel With New “Blue Plus” Fare

07/03/2005

Virgin Blue is stepping up its bid to lure more of the corporate market with the launch today of “Blue Plus”, a radically new Virgin Blue fare designed specifically for business travellers.

Virgin Blue’s new Blue Plus business fares will provide the following:

A choice of a money back refund (minus a $30 admin fee), or a full credit which can be used towards a flight within 12 months of the original booking should the guest fail to check-in or cancel their flight.

Free entry into the airline’s Blue Room lounges

New Priority Check-in counters for Blue Plus passengers (It is also possible to check-in at Blue Room concierge desks)

Seating in our Suit Zone™ section of the aircraft.*

Generous checked baggage allowance of 32kg

Ability to change the name of traveller without penalty

Ability to change the flight time or date without penalty

* subject to availability - Suit Zone™ is in the front half of our aircraft and offers more personal space.

“We have listened to our corporate customers and we are serious about developing service propositions for the business traveller which also offer significant savings for their companies,” said Virgin Blue Chief Commercial Officer, Stefan Pichler.

“Our feedback shows that business travellers actually don’t want to be charged premium prices for the privilege of being served cafeteria style food on the way to a business meeting.

What they want is what we will deliver, hence our Blue Plus product,” he said.

“The ‘no questions asked’ refundable feature is particularly important as it allows great flexibility in managing and optimising corporate travel budgets. This is the first time Virgin Blue has offered a refund option. This not only sets us apart from any other low fare airline in the world, it will also put us in a stronger position to compete with traditional carriers,” Mr Pichler said.

“We expect Blue Plus to attract a number of new Virgin Blue flyers, and we will continue to enthusiastically lobby for an increasing share of business from Australian corporation and Government organisations,” he said.

Virgin Blue also offers ‘Blue Zone’ seating with extra leg room and will introduce an Australian first when it installs live in-flight seatback TV later this year.